DSAW Walk season is in FULL SWING! The DSAW community has been busy forming teams, participating in weekly social media challenges, and raising funds in all kinds of crazy and fun ways! As the Walks gained momentum, we were also busy planning the Annual Golf Outing in Southeastern WI which will be our first socially-distant, in-person event since March! DSAW Connects classes continue for a few more weeks before we switch it up again with new programming. Read on for all the details!
DSAW Connects: Statewide Summer Programs for All DSAW Chapters and MADSS
Our DSAW Connects Virtual Summer Classes continued through July! Over 80 students of all ages from across the state participate every day in DSAW Connects classes and many of our classes have multiple sessions to accommodate all schedules.
Click here to learn more about our paid summer classes.
Here is what a few of our programs have been up to over the last month!
DSAW Connects: Media Madness
We are teaching future tech wizards in this class! The class has covered the basics of Google Drive usage and discussed the ins and outs of social media safety during July. We’ve had conversations about what to do about scam calls and other relevant media safety skills. We make time for fun too by watching popular music videos at the end of class.
DSAW Connects: Let’s Get Connected!
We are learning how to make new friendships while strengthening current relationships during Let’s Get Connected! This class uses videos as a tool to promote conversation among the group. We’ve had awesome conversations this month about friendship!
DSAW Connects: Move & Groove
We are keeping active and fit throughout the summer season! This class fits a lot in a short amount of time! Participants learn routines to popular music and have check-ins with the instructor between songs so they can talk about wellness.
DSAW Connects: Creative Corner
The takeaway from Creative Corner is that art is all around us! Participants have made a lot of animal-themed art projects this month. They have also had great discussions about self- expression.
Free Summer Programs for DSAW Families
The Stream Team!
Here’s what a few of our groups were up to in July!
Mom’s Coffee/Book Club
In July, 6 moms shared a lot of laughs while discussing The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. The next meeting is on August 21 from 8-9 pm via Zoom. This month’s book is The Lager Queen Of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal.
Stream Team
This self-advocate group likes some friendly competition with games like “Name that Tune” and “I Spy.” We start class with a “Question of the Day” and at the end of each class, the participants watch a music video for “Song of the Day” and it’s a blast listening to friends’ favorite tunes.
Tween Stream Team
These tweens love talking to each other! Their favorite game is “Would You Rather” and they like to catch up about which TV shows they’re all watching. This class is a great break in the day from content-based classes and it lets the participants just relax and catch up with their friends in a structured way.
Grandparents Group
DSAW- Grandparents Group has expanded statewide! You can join this lovely group of grandparents at any time and stay connected with them through the new Facebook Group. They have some exciting speakers planned for the group!
Virtual 21 Showcase:
This year, we are running a months-long 21 Showcase on social media, which launched during July! We’ve received amazing submissions from all over the State and we want to see more!
Submit a photo/video and description of your loved one to be shared on our Facebook page! Help us prepare for the Walk by celebrating all of our friends online.
Down Syndrome Awareness Walks
We launched registration for all of DSAW's Down Syndrome Awareness Walks across the state! This year, we are throwing a party like NEVER before! Due to the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the crowd size at our Awareness Walks in the past, DSAW's Down Syndrome Awareness Walks will look different this year in that they are going mostly VIRTUAL!
If you thought you had fun with us on one day, get ready for our months-long celebration of our friends with Down syndrome!! DSAW families from around the state will be uniting with us to celebrate Down syndrome awareness ALL SUMMER LONG. Each chapter has its own fundraising page, so find your location below to get started!
Register for an Awareness Walk in your area today!
#DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenges
DSAW has been posting weekly giveaways on Facebook since June! Registered walk participants who participate have received awesome giveaway prizes for growing their walk teams, sending in videos about why they love DSAW, and promoting the Walk on social media. Most impressively, the DSAW and MADSS community came together and raised $18,695.86 in one week! The goal was $15,000.00 and in return, DSAW’s awesome Executive Director, Dawn, got a pie in the face from her daughter, Abby!
This week, we are asking participants to decorate for DSAW and share pictures of their decorated homes, cars, rooms, etc on Facebook by tagging @DSAWisconsin to connect with us and get a chance to win delivered dinner from a local restaurant! Tune in to our Facebook Live video on Friday at 2 PM to watch the live drawing! We will also announce the next #DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenge during this video! Check out the DSAW State Facebook page for more info.
DSAW will continue to post weekly challenges through the month of August, and then in September, Walk Month, we will post DAILY activities for registered friends and families to participate in up until Walk Day (September 27th).
